Project Description

Costas Verdes is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 to conserve and restore coastal ecosystems on public lands, including protected areas, publicly owned portions of beaches, mangroves, riverbanks and wetlands. Last year, Costas Verdes planted almost 10,000 trees around the country.

Costas Verdes believes that the active participation of local communities in these activities and environmental education is vital in these processes. To this end, Costa Verdes involves schoolchildren in its activities, and organizes workshops in local schools and communities. In most cases its activities are supported by local businesses, which donate funds, materials and the time of their workers. Three of the country’s universities support Costas Verdes, and a total of approximately 600 national and international visitors have volunteered their time.

Costas Verdes also establishes nurseries in coastal communities with the support of local families, schools and businesses, which provide the plants and trees necessary for its work. Costas Verdes receives support from public agencies such as the National System of Conservation Areas and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy.

The GCF, with resources from the Harmony and CRUSA Donor Advised Funds, has supported Costas Verde’s Barriguiones beach forest restoration project in Nosara, which has restored 4 acres with native species, as well as outreach to public schools in the Nosara Area. Costa Verdes is also a local partner in the Rio Nosara Biological Corridor Initiative.

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